Artopia Friday, April 25
This Friday night, we're announcing the winners of the fifth annual Big Brain Awards at Artopia, a celebration with food, drinks, and, of course, art. We've already introduced you to all the finalists in the Culinary Arts category, which includes Aisha Tedros of A.T. Coffee Oasis, the guys of Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co., and Stephanie Teslar of Bluehound Kitchen and Cocktails. This year, Artopia will be held at Bentley Projects, located in the heart of historic downtown Phoenix, and will feature a collection of artwork, a craft village of local goods, food samples from local eateries, and cocktails from some of the city's best mixologists. The party starts at 8 p.m. and tickets cost $25 a person. Purchase yours online and check out the Artopia website for more information.
See also: Big Brain Awards 2014: Meet the Finalists
Chandler Craft Spirit Festival Saturday, April 26
This weekend, marks the first Chandler Craft Spirits Festival, a celebration of local and craft spirits and cocktails. The event, which will be held at Dr. AJ Chandler Park in Downtown Chandler, will feature distillers, brewers, and distributors from around the state including Four Roses Bourbon, Rhum Clement, Desert Diamond Distillers, Hood River Distillers, and Arizona Distilling Company. Tickets cost $35 a person and include 15 tasting tickets. The festival will also feature a cocktail contest, classes, food from local vendors, and live music. The event goes from 5 to 10 p.m. For more information, visit the Chandler Craft Spirit Festival website.
Coconut's Fish Café One Year Anniversary Saturday, April 26
This Friday and Saturday night, Scottsdale's Coconut's Fish Cafe will celebrate one year of business with special entertainment and deals. On Saturday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Henry Kaonoi Kim will play live ukelele music accompanied by a hula dancer. The restaurant also will offer special Hawaiian treats and trinkets throughout the evening with a surfboard-shaped cake being cut at 6 p.m. It will be served to customers on a first come first served basis. Coconut's will also offer happy hour pricing on drinks all day on both Friday and Saturday, which includes $2 draft beer and wine.
Croissant Workshop Saturday, April 26
Sure, you can find bake-at-home croissants in the frozen aisle of your local Trader Joe's. But if you want to truly step up your breakfast pastry game, why not learn how to make them from scratch. This Saturday, Classic Cooking Academy is hosting a Croissant Workshop during which students will learn how to make and fold croissant dough as well as how to make and fill them with a variety of fillings. The class will be led by chef Susan Kolman, the school's pastry chef. The class runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and costs $95 a person. Visit the Classic Cooking Academy website for more information or to reserve your spot.
Breakfast Cocktails at Perk Eatery
Recently, North Scottsdale's Perk Eatery added a line of breakfast cocktails to its menu. The cheery family-owned breakfast and lunch spot, which offers a menu of classic breakfast favorites, now serves a Bloody PERK-Fect Mary made with Sriracha Vodka ($6.50) and a Michelada with Modelo Especial with lime, tomato juice and spices ($6.50). Other boozy breakfast creations include the Carmen Chameleon made with Corralejo Blanco Tequila, cucumber, mint and lime ($9.50) and the PERK-fection with Deep Eddy Grapefruit Vodka, grapefruit juice and basil ($8). Perk also serves draft and bottled beer, a selection of red or white wines by the glass, and a traditional mimosa for $5.
